Warren herself says Sanders 'disagreed' with her that 'a woman could win' in 2020
After a day of anonymously sourced reports about what Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in a December 2018 tête-à-tête, everyone is now on the record. "I thought a woman could win; he disagreed," Warren said in a statement released late on Monday. "I have no interest in discussing this private meeting any further because Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences in punditry."
Despite Warren's preferences, both she and Sanders will undoubtedly be asked to rehash what they discussed in that two-hour meeting at Tuesday's Democratic presidential debate in Des Moines, the last debate before the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 3.
Earlier Monday, Sanders called a CNN report that he'd told Warren a woman couldn't be elected in 2020 "ludicrous," recalling, "What I did say that night was that Donald Trump is a sexist, a racist and a liar who would weaponize whatever he could." Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir had predicted that if Warren did release a statement, she would say the report "is not true, that is a lie."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The open acrimony between the two progressive 2020 candidates started with a Politico report Sunday detailing how Sanders staffers are trying to flip Warren-leaning voters by suggesting she's the candidate of "highly educated, more affluent people" who will vote for the Democrats anyway. Warren said she was "disappointed" that Sanders is "sending his volunteers out to trash me," and Sanders said he did not approve the messaging and has never personally attacked his friend Warren.
Some progressives are getting worried about the escalation hurting both candidates. "This looks like a desperate attempt to fracture a coalition of the candidates that represent the most popular ideas among working people," said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants union.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 3, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
North Korea tests ICBM, readies troops in Ukraine
Speed Read Thousands of North Korean troops are likely to join Russian action against Ukraine
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Women take center stage in campaign finale
Speed Read Harris and Trump are trading gender attacks in the final days before the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Supreme Court allows purge of Virginia voter rolls
Speed Read Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) is purging some 1,600 people from state voter rolls days before the election
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Empowered' Steve Bannon released from prison
Speed Read Bannon was set free a week before Election Day and quickly returned to his right-wing podcast to promote Trump
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Canada accuses top Modi ally of directing Sikh attacks
Speed Read Indian Home Minister Amit Shah was allegedly behind a campaign of violence and intimidation targeting Sikh separatists
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Harris makes closing case in huge rally at DC's Ellipse
Speed Read The Democratic nominee asked voters to "turn the page" on Trump's "division" and "chaos"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'I am not a Nazi,' Trump says amid MSG rally fallout
Speed Read Trump and his campaign are attempting to stem the fallout from comments made by speakers at Sunday's rally
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published